Shine Brightly for Christ While You Count Down Day 5
Sometimes this kind of thinking can make one wonder what is
the benefit of belonging to Christ Jesus as our Lord. What’s in it for me? Might just come to mind from time to time
when you are asked to serve. The cool thing is that we have the best example in
Jesus of someone who put other’s first.
He put the Father ahead of himself, “Your will be done”. In Matthew
26, shows us this attitude to follow.
He looked to the need of others when He asked for water from
the woman at the well and yet gave her the keys to eternal life instead.
When Jesus gave up his life for us after giving up his
divine privileges to come to us as a human He totally put all of us before
Himself. Now here is the encouragement it talks about from the start, God the
Father elevated Jesus to the place of highest honor! In Heaven and on Earth
every knee will bow!
Now what do we do with all of these examples? We need to
obey God and serve with Godly fear, and reverence to Him.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any
comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts
tender and compassionate Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly
with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and
purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of
others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests,
but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that
Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as
something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the
humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in
human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death
on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under
the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was
with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show
the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For
God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases
him. Philippians 2:1-13
That last line sums it all up perfectly today! God is working
in us giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him, not just
ourselves!
When we serve or give a gift this year lets really think
about what the person needs, or desires, putting their needs befor ours.
In His love,
Teresa Wilson